A legislative bill intended to give New York state universities and colleges greater control of their fiscal affairs is being proposed as part of Gov. David Paterson’s proposed 2010-11 executive budget.

The Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act would allow all State University of New York and City University of New York campuses to raise tuition at their own discretion, retain tuition and other revenues and lease SUNY-owned property. Paterson said today that the bill includes “the most significant reforms” to the SUNY system in a generation.

“We must provide our institutions of public higher education with the freedom and flexibility they need to drive development both on campus and off, preparing our students for the new economy jobs that will propel New York forward,” Paterson said.

The governor’s bill would allow:

• SUNY and CUNY trustees to implement a rational tuition policy that permits universities to raise tuition incrementally up to an annual cap.

• SUNY and CUNY trustees to set differential tuition rates for certain programs and campuses, based on college presidents’ recommendations.

• SUNY and CUNY campuses to receive and disperse revenues from tuition and self-generating programs without applying it to the state budget.

• SUNY-owned property to be leased to other entities to diversify revenue streams, subject to the approval of the State University Asset Maximization Review Board.

• SUNY and CUNY to purchase goods and services without prior approval from the Office of the State Comptroller.

• Post-audits, rather than pre-audits, for leases between SUNY and its alumni associations in support of dormitory projects.

• Twice-a-year reporting on revenues and expenses at a campus-specific level to assure transparency and accountability.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher supports the governor’s proposal, saying the “high-impact, zero-cost solutions” will create jobs and improve both the economy and the public higher education system.

“We have taken a major step in unleashing the public university sector to achieve the promise of economic growth through top quality education, from community college to research center,” she said. “This will positively impact every community in the state with the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs and through billions of dollars in local investment.”

Paterson’s complete, proposed executive budget is scheduled to be released next Tuesday, Jan. 19. It will go to the state Legislature for approval, which in theory is supposed to be passed by April 1.

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